May 1, 2009

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - The Black Coaches & Administrators (BCA) has named Richmond Football Head Coach Mike London as its 2009 Male Coach of the Year. In his first year at his alma mater, London guided the Spiders to the 2008 NCAA Division I National Football Championship.

London is one of four honored with the BCA's annual awards, joining Beverly Kearney, head coach of the University Texas women's track & field team as the Female Coach of the Year, Dr. Derrick Gragg, Eastern Michigan University's director of athletics as Administrator of the Year and Kathy Richey-Walton (Southwest DeKalb High School, Decatur, Ga.) as the High School Coach of the Year.

"It is indeed an honor and privilege to be recognized with this award," said London. "The BCA has long championed the cause of opportunity. I'd like to thank our President Ed Ayers and our Athletic Director Jim Miller for giving me that opportunity. This award is made possible by the outstanding efforts of my assistant coaches and staff. Finally, a special thank you to our players that believed that anything is possible and that academic and athletic achievement can go hand in hand."

These four will be honored during the BCA National Convention and Expo, Friday, May 29 at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis.

Each of the recipients were nominated and selected by BCA based on the following criteria: team success during the most recent season, team improvement from previous season, fulfillment of team potential and professional manner and attitude.

"Each of the awardees exemplifies the values and mission of the BCA. Our honorees are not just successful professionals, but they are also outstanding people", said Floyd Keith, BCA Executive Director.

London, who edged out Mike Tomlin of the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers for the Male Coach of the Year award, lead Richmond to the school's first-ever NCAA Championship, in his rookie season as head football coach. A 1983 UR alum, London is the first African-American to lead his team to the FCS National Championship game in 30 years - when Florida A&M head coach Rudy Hubbard won the inaugural FCS (then I-AA) title.

Richmond, which defeated Montana 24-7 in the National Championship game, carries an NCAA-best nine-game winning streak into the 2009 season. The Spiders started the 2008 campaign just 4-3, before rattling off nine-consecutive wins to take the title. The Spiders return 16 starters in 2009, including All-American candidate, senior QB Eric Ward.

London has also been honored as the National Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association and by Schutt Sports/American Football Monthly.

Te Black Coaches & Administrators is a non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to foster the growth and development of ethnic minorities at all levels of sports both nationally and internationally. The BCA is committed to creating a positive enlightened environment where issues can be examined closely, debated sincerely and resolved honestly. The BCA's focus involves the concerns of its colleagues in professional sports, NCAA (Division I, II, and III), NAIA (Division I and II), junior college and high school levels.